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“I should get going. There are a lot of things that still need to be done,” Dmitry looked at me again, but the connection was no longer there. I gave him a weak smile and then he retreated from the room with a dramatic exit.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Robin open her mouth. I was certain she was going to either continue her tirade about Ana and Luka or make some comment about Dmitry and me, but I didn’t want to hear it. As much as I liked Robin, I had already had my fill of drama for the night. “Whatever you’re going to say Robin, please don’t. I’m not sure how much more I can take tonight and I am still starving.”

“I’ll ring the servants to bring us something,” Robin said as she walked woodenly to a nearby phone. I watched her as she spoke on the phone. Her body was very stiff and she was wrapping the phone cord around her finger so tightly, her finger was turning white.

I’d never seen her so worked up about something before, and perhaps she did have a point, but what could be done? The coronation ball was tomorrow and I wasn’t even prepared. All I had was a dress picked out and a vague idea of what I should expect.

“They will bring us something up very soon,” Robin said as she walked across the room to look out the window of my small balcony.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should follow her when an idea started to infiltrate my thoughts. As I pushed apart the sheer fabrics that separated my sitting room from the sparkling night sky, I found Robin looking sullen on the railing of the stone balcony. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and she was resting her chin on them as she stared blankly into the empty countryside.

“Would it make you feel better if I promised to talk to Nicolae after the coronation ball?” I asked as I took a seat on the railing across from her, resting my back against a pillar that was shaped like a lion’s head.

“It’s not about making me feel better, Claire. It’s about your safety.”  Robin didn’t look at me as she spoke, but kept her eyes fixed on an invisible point of interest in the distance.

I closed my eyes and let my newly developed senses take in the magic of the night.  The cold night breeze wrapped around my arms and danced with my hair. I took a deep breath and smelled faint hints that reminded me of the palace’s garden and how I longed to go back there.

“Why are you so concerned for my safety? You’re acting as if you know something bad is going to happen.” I was surprised when the words left my lips since I couldn’t remember thinking them. Was this my newly developed intuition or connection with emotions? I tried to tether my psyche to Robin as I did Dmitry, but it didn’t seem to work.

“Our world is just in a very delicate state right now, Claire. Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but my parents and I have read the histories of our world and we know how things can take the wrong path. The world may be different than what it used to be, but the actions that people take always lead to the same outcomes.”

We both sat in silence for a while and I considered what she said. I was grateful that Robin didn’t always have to talk and was comfortable to sit in silence with me at times, just enjoying the peace and quiet. It made me think of Liz and my former feelings of homesickness returned.

As I sat wondering what Liz was doing, as well as my real mom, a servant arrived with two small silver goblets of blood. I took the glass from the small silver platter and stared into the cup. I took another deep breath as I realized that I might not be able to keep the promise that I made to Liz. I was discovering things that told me my new life could not coexist with my old one, and it was a sad realization.

“I’ll see you dark and early tomorrow night, okay?” Robin asked as she left her perch on the railing. I saw the hint of a smile on her face. Her usual chipper personality was slowly returning and it was a pleasant sight. Her friendliness was one of the reasons I chose to accept the king’s proposal since it made it that much easier.

“You got it.” I mustered a confident smile for her before she retreated.

Alone on the balcony, I finished the sticky contents in my goblet and stared into the night sky. Without even realizing it, I sensed that I was searching for the connection I found the night of my transformation. Searching for the goddess, of whom Mara had spoken. I longed for Nyx, the goddess, seeking the comfort she offered during my greatest time of misery. Maybe she could help ease my worries and guide me to the right decision I needed to make.

A shiver rolled up my spine like a drop of ice water sliding across the skin. I thought for a fleeting moment that I found the connection I was searching for, but quickly realized it was something else, someone else. My eyes frantically sought the familiar, yet mysterious, figure that I knew was somewhere watching me; and I found him in the same place as I had before.  He was standing in the distance. 

A warm ribbon of air wrapped around me, as it had when I touched Dmitry. I could feel my heart longing for this mysterious man. I wanted to leap from the balcony just to be near him and my breath caught in my throat as he walked closer to the palace. He was almost close enough for his face to be revealed by the palace glow, but he stopped short.

“Who are you?” I meant to shout aloud, but it came out as a whisper, sneaking sway from my lips like a secret. My words whipped around me and I sensed that they would be carried on the ribbon that invisibly connected us.

I clenched the edge of the stone railing and felt my palms growing sweaty as my stomach lurched and knotted. I felt like a school girl waiting for her crush to reply to a love note, a feeling I both despised and relished.

Suddenly, a tantalizing sensation whirled around me and tickled the sensitive skin around my neck. It carried one word to my ears with the most enticing voice I had ever heard.

His voice was deep and soulful, oozing emotion and certainty. He answered my question, and as soon as the word reached me, he was gone.

“Yours.”

I don’t know how long I remained on the balcony after that, staring at the empty place where he was standing. A dozen questions danced in my thoughts and I was both intrigued and vexed by my mystery man’s answer. I cursed myself for not asking his name, so I could question Robin about who he was. I wondered if he would be at my coronation ball; and if I would ever really get to see him. What exactly did he mean by saying he was mine?

After the exciting mix of emotions, I decided to take a cold shower and then walk around the garden. The shower helped me feel better, as did spending some time with the only reliable man still in my life, Louie. He lay idly at my feet while I tried to find something comfortable to wear. When a blue cotton summer dress caught my eye, I quickly slipped it on along with a pair of flip-flops and my gold necklace, which contained one of my most prized possessions - the locket that Robin gave me. The pictures of Liz and my mom were comforting and I looked at them often, pretending that they were there with me. I even imagined what Liz would advise me to do if she knew the predicament I was in.

In fact I knew exactly what she would say, “Claire don’t be a sissy, kick the girl’s ass and get it over with so we can go shopping.”

For such a pretty girl, Liz definitely wasn’t afraid to break a few nails while she ripped out her rival’s cheap extensions. I giggled at the memory of Liz getting in a fight with her arch-nemesis, Stacey Hart, because Liz caught Stacey eyeing Liz’s current guy of the month.

As I let my thoughts consume me, which I loved to do, but rarely got the opportunity to enjoy, I found that I had navigated myself through the palace with newfound ease and was descending the stone steps that led into the palace gardens.

I took my time walking back to the bench that I discovered on my last visit to the garden and secretly hoped that my mystery man would find me again, but I was sadly disappointed.

The bench was empty as were the rest of the gardens. I didn’t see, hear or feel anyone around me except plants and various animals. Everyone was most certainly getting ready for the big night ahead. I sat atop the bench and grabbed a handful of pebbles as I randomly tossed them into the pond.

The sounds of the night grew muter the longer I was out by the edge of the pond. Perhaps I was losing myself in my thoughts more deeply or maybe the creatures of the night were preparing for a long days rest.

When I sensed another presence, I was both excited and disappointed in the same fleeting moment. Nicolae appeared at my side, coming to such a graceful stop, that it almost appeared he had materialized out of thin air. His dark hair didn’t appear to be in the slightest bit out of place and his expression was brimming with calm and understanding.

I hadn’t seen much of my new vampire dad since I first visited the palace and I was a little happy to see him. It was still new and slightly awkward, but never having a dad before, the man I had envisioned as my father growing up was so very much like Nicolae that it was hard not to be in awe of him.

We stood silently in the night, breathing in the smells and absorbing the sensations of our surroundings. I watched as Nicolae unbuttoned his jacket and bent down to pick up a handful of small pebbles before joining me.

“I don’t have to read your emotions to know something is vexing you, child,” he said as he tossed his last pebble and dusted off his hands. “Come sit with me.”

I joined Nicolae on the bench as I battled with my inner self as to what I should tell him. I appreciated how patiently he waited and noticed how he studied my face like everyone else when they first saw me after the change. His face softened and I could feel my heart swelling with pride as I sensed his approval of my new appearance.

“I am very proud of you, Claire,” Nicolae said.

He was proud of me. The words almost brought tears to my eyes, but I fought them back because I wanted to maintain a strong image in front of my new dad. An indescribable urge to make him proud coursed through me. Was it really me who wanted this? Or was it because of his blood inside of me?  “Thank you, Nic… Dad.” I was still getting used to Nicolae and calling him dad just didn’t seem to come too naturally, something he noticed as well.

“You may call me Nicolae if you feel more comfortable,” he said as he smiled. “Although, hearing you call me ‘Dad’ does make me quite happy.”

I returned his smile, revealing my new fangs and started to feel more at ease around him. “My, my Claire, your fangs are nearly fully grown. I suppose I owe Evilyn an apology; I accused her of exaggerating.” Nicolae’s eyes sparkled with amusement and I appreciated that he was trying to ease the tension.

“The palace is alive tonight with preparations for tomorrow,” he commented as he turned toward the palace, letting the warm yellow lights dance on his face. 

I studied his features for a moment with my new eyes and noticed his strong jawline, taking took note that it was relaxed. Without trying to invade his privacy too much, I pushed out with my senses and hoped to gauge his true feelings, only to be blocked by a strong wall. It was quite jarring and felt much like the instant you slam on the brakes to avoid hitting a car in a near accident.

“You’re quite strong, Claire, but I am much older than you are young one,” he smiled and patted his hand on my knee.

“I’m sorry.”

“There is no need to apologize. I encourage you to practice your skills. I want you to be the best that you can be.”

I nodded at him and gazed at the towering palace that lay beyond the gardens. “What will tomorrow night really be like?”

“Tomorrow will be a night that many vampires have not witnessed in a very long time. Not in our region, at least. There is great anticipation to see you and I am happy to know that they will not be disappointed.”

I thought about dancing around the subject, but changed my mind. I was a vampire princess now; and I wasn’t going to let anyone keep the truth from me anymore. I took a deep breath and steadied my gaze on Nicolae, “Is there anyone who won’t be happy about tomorrow night?”

Nicolae looked away from me then, and nodded his head slowly. I got the feeling that my question didn’t surprise him, but I also sensed that he was hoping I wasn’t going to ask. “Claire, if I can give you any advice about the new life that has been laid out before you, it is this. Rare indeed will it be that a vampire or human will agree with any decision you must make, but your decision must be made nonetheless. You must do what has to be done, no matter what the consequences. If it is for the good of your kind and for your region, there is no sacrifice too great. Do you understand?”

I nodded my head as stray strands of my dark auburn hair fell and tickled my face, “I understand.”

“It was a monumental responsibility we have burdened you with, Claire, but you are a symbol of hope and strength,” he spoke the words with such conviction that I was starting to feel inspired, until I realized he hadn’t answered my question.

I furrowed my brow at him, hopefully looking very much like a frightful vampire, and Nicolae read my expression instantly. “Ah, there is the power of which I speak. You see…” he said as he waged a finger at me, “you will be a wonderful princess and a finer queen someday.”

His face drew into a solemn expression and he heaved a deep sigh as he looked at me, like a father would his daughter when she left home to attend college. A tiny ribbon of emotion escaped him as it wrapped around my body and pricked at my senses, giving me fleeting sensations of his emotional state.

“I wanted to wait until you had time to acclimate… ‘til you had more time to learn our ways and grew to love us…” his words hung in the air and I became worried that he would suck them back in and not tell me the truth I so greatly sought since Fox had come to my home. Why had I been chosen?

“I need to know,” I looked at him urgently, trying to convey my feelings without words.

“There is a storm brewing on the horizon, Claire. One like the world has not seen in many ages. The humans grow restless, as if they have completely forgotten the old ways. The other regions see our way of life as an embarrassment and they grow greedy for our land and our people.” He expelled the words in a tidal wave of emotion and relief. I could sense the anguish that had been building in him and realized his pain would one day be all mine.

My heart thumped in my chest and a sense of purpose filled me. One of my greatest dreams in life was being fulfilled, and an empty hole inside me began to close. I had a dad now, I could feel the bond in our blood, and he needed me. “We will not let them,” I said with unwavering determination.

Nicolae was a good king and he alone had created the world I was born into, that I was happy living in and that my friends and family still enjoyed. I wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from us, no matter what.

“Thank you, child. It saddens me to know I took your human life, and thrust you into this role, but the future and safety of our region is at stake,” he said in his deep, yet sorrowful voice as he rested his hand on my cheek. I looked up at him and his eyes were full of sadness, but not a single tear fell from them. “It will be dawn soon. Let us go inside, and get a drink?”

“That sounds nice.”

We walked side-by-side through the garden and back into the palace. A great many things had changed while I sat in the garden for the short time. Servants and vampires were busily finishing the preparations for the event. As we walked past the ballroom, I peered in to see quite a magical sight. My jaw dropped at the spectacle and I had to catch my breath.

At the sound of my gasp, Dmitry, who was ordering the placement of tables, directed his attention toward me. In a flash of movement, he was at the open double doors, closing them in my face, with the most beautiful, fanged grin I had ever seen.

“You’re going to ruin the surprise!” he said as he poked his head out between the doors.

“I am not. I was just enjoying the sensation of surprise until you interrupted it, so if you could just let me continue?” I said in my most flirty tone, not caring that Nicolae was standing nearby watching him.

Dmitry simply winked at me and closed the doors, but not before looking toward Nicolae and nodding respectfully. I sighed softly as Nicolae and I continued our walk and I noticed the amused expression on his face as we entered his office.

“What?” I asked. 

“He likes you very much, Claire. You must be careful of starting such a bond so early in your vampire years.” He picked up the phone on his desk and made a call to have blood delivered for the both of us.

“Do you not approve of Dmitry?” 

“You need not ask my approval on such a matter. Affection is not a choice for one to make, like whether or not to buy red flowers or white,” he said as he pulled two roses from a large crystal vase on a nearby table. “Do they not both smell as sweet?”

He handed me the roses and I smelled them both. Each of their fragrances were soft and gently filled my nose with their delicate aroma. “They both smell very nice.”

“Ah, but tell me which you prefer. Is either more beautiful to you than the other?”

I thought it an odd question, but I answered, “Well, no.”

“So you like them both equally?” Nicolae asked as he approached me, raising his eyebrows quizzically.

“Yes, I suppose I do.” Nicolae smiled then and grasped the white rose ripping all the petals off and releasing them, allowing them to flutter to the floor.

“Hey!  Why did you do that?” I asked as I crouched to pick up the petals.

“You still have the red rose, do you not? Is that not enough for you, or did you truly favor the white rose over the red?”

I stood and looked at the red rose in my hand and the white petals in the other, still not completely understanding the point he was trying to make. “No I didn’t like the white rose better, but now it’s ruined.”

“But you still have the red rose, Claire,” Nicolae looked down at the rose in my hand and urged me to smell it again, but this time the scent was slightly different. It was familiar and I sniffed deeper to completely fill my nose with the scent. As I looked at Nicolae to ask him what had changed, we were interrupted by a servant bringing two small silver goblets, identical to the one I had drunk from earlier with Robin.

“To family,” Nicolae toasted.

I joined him, but as I brought the goblet to my lips, the scent of the blood surprised me. It was the very same scent I smelled in the red rose. Did Nicolae put blood on the rose? Then for the first time, I found myself wondering whose blood I was drinking. If he and the queen were supposed to represent the red rose, then whose was the white? Dmitry?

“Now off to bed with you. Big night tomorrow.”

I looked at him for a moment as hesitation halted my movement, but the expression on his face made it clear that it was an order I could not disobey.  The cold, emotionless, vampiric demeanor had returned and I was slightly disappointed until I turned the corner.